Road-Trip with Will Ferrell and Transgender Best Friend Captivates in Netflix Doc

A memorable scene in the Netflix documentary “Will & Harper” unfolds at SW Steakhouse inside Wynn Las Vegas. The film captures former “Saturday Night Live” star Will Ferrell and his best friend, Harper Steele, as they make a pit stop while road-tripping across the United States.

Harper Steele and Will Ferrell’s friendship dates back to 1995 when both joined “Saturday Night Live” during the same week. Steele was brought on as the show’s head writer. The story gains depth as it reveals that Ferrell originally knew Steele as Andrew. Shortly before the documentary begins, Steele comes out as transgender to Ferrell. This revelation prompts the duo to embark on a journey across the U.S., exploring their evolving relationship and testing how accepting strangers are when they meet a transgender person.

TRUSTED PARTNER ✅

During their visit to SW Steakhouse, Ferrell adopts a comical disguise purchased earlier that day from a Las Vegas Goodwill store. The disguise serves to deflect the attention away from Steele, who is still getting accustomed to her new identity in public, while also avoiding any special treatment due to their celebrity status.

“This whole trip, obviously you’re taking the heat off me, and that’s just not the life of a real trans person,” Steele confides in Ferrell over dinner. “But when I was in the Goodwill today, I just felt way more comfortable, and that’s a bit of a result of this trip.”

It’s apparent that their server, John, is aware of Ferrell’s true identity, despite the theatrical moustache slipping from Ferrell’s face mid-dinner. “I’m David Abernathy, I managed Bette Midler for a little while, and Air Supply,” Ferrell introduces himself, eliciting a knowing smile from John.

After John leaves, Ferrell turns to Steele and asks, “Do you think John knows it’s me?”

Steele responds candidly, “John is suspicious, let’s be honest.”

This dinner is notably smoother than a previous one in Amarillo, Texas, at the Big Texan State Ranch. That dining experience ended with Ferrell emotionally apologizing during the car ride to their next destination. “I feel like I let you down in that moment,” Ferrell admits tearfully. “I was like, ‘Oh, shit, we gotta worry about Harper’s safety.’… That’s where I just…”

In addition to Ferrell and Steele, “Will and Harper” features “SNL” alums Will Forte, Molly Shannon, and Kristen Wiig. The documentary is currently streaming on Netflix.